Relationship Between Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Human Serum and Sjogren’s Syndrome: A Case–Control Study of Populations in Hangzhou, China
Yun Zhao,
Shetuan Hu,
Hangbiao Jin,
Chuanbing Fan,
Kaizhen Liao,
Songzhao Zhang,
Jing Xue
Affiliations
Yun Zhao
Department of Rheumatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou 310009, China
Shetuan Hu
Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
Hangbiao Jin
Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
Chuanbing Fan
Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
Kaizhen Liao
Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
Songzhao Zhang
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou 310009, China
Jing Xue
Department of Rheumatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Second Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou 310009, China
Exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) has been found to elicit a range of detrimental effects on human health. However, limited research has investigated the impact of PFAAs on immunity and immune disorders such as Sjogren’s syndrome, with existing studies yielding inconsistent results. This study was conducted in Hangzhou, China, with an initial cohort comprising 156 healthy individuals and 162 patients diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome. We quantified serum levels of PFAAs and examined associations between PFAAs and both susceptibilities to the development of Sjogren’s syndrome and immune marker concentrations. Nine PFAAs were frequently detected in the serum, with perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) exhibiting the highest concentration, followed by perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS). Exposure to PFOA and perfluorotridecanoate (PFTrDA) was inversely associated with the disease. Furthermore, a negative correlation between PFOA and C-reactive protein (CRP) was observed. These findings suggest that exposure to specific PFAAs may impact the immune system and potentially influence the development of Sjogren’s syndrome.
